The Thing (1982) review – John Carpenter’s Masterclass In Paranoia And Practical Gore
The Thing: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A cold, claustrophobic masterpiece that stands as one of the greatest achievements in horror history. John Carpenter’s The Thing is a masterclass in mounting tension and psychological paranoia, anchored by a career-best ensemble cast and Rob Bottin’s legendary, stomach-churning practical effects. Unlike many of its contemporaries, the film refuses to offer easy answers or cheap scares, instead immersing the viewer in a relentlessly bleak battle for survival where trust is the first casualty. While it was misunderstood upon its 1982 release, it has aged into an untouchable classic of the genre – visually iconic, intellectually compelling, and still genuinely terrifying.
Details: Director: John Carpenter | Cast: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David | Runtime: 1h 49m | Release Date: 1982
Best for: Fans of practical gore, psychological thrillers, and anyone who appreciates a horror movie that respects the audience’s intelligence.
Worth noting: The film’s iconic musical score was composed by Ennio Morricone, though it bears a striking resemblance to Carpenter’s own minimalist synth style.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (Rent/Buy)🛒, Apple TV, Google Play
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
(Legendary effects, masterclass in tension, perfectly ambiguous)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. It’s Halloween, and that can mean only one thing: we are down to the last day of our 2024 31 Days of Halloween feature. I always wrap these features up with a classic movie review. In 2022 it was Rosemary’s Baby, in 2023 it was the 1978 classic Halloween, and in 2024 we have another John Carpenter-directed horror movie marvel — The Thing, from 1982.
Table of Contents
The best of the best?
Based on the John W. Campbell novella Who Goes There? and following in the footsteps of the 1951 black-and-white horror movie The Thing from Another Planet. The Thing follows the story of a group of men in an Arctic research station finding themselves at the mercy of a relentless alien creature who can mimic forms.
After rescuing a dog from a Norwegian person attempting to shoot it, the men notice that something strange is afoot when members of the group start dying and others begin acting abnormally. When they realise that something has infiltrated them and can copy their forms perfectly, the men become wildly suspicious of each other. Placing each of them in a fight for their very lives.
1982 was a fantastic year for horror movies. Some might even consider it to be the best in horror history. Creepshow, The Slumber Party Massacre, Friday the 13th Part III (where Jason finally got his iconic mask), Halloween III: Season of the Witch (a well-loved cult classic in modern times), The House on Sorority Row, Amityville II: The Possession, Basket Case, Swamp Thing, and Poltergeist.
Horror has never been quite as welcome in the world of entertainment as it was in 1982. Looking back, two of the most noteworthy are Poltergeist and the movie we are looking at today — The Thing. I think it is fair to say that The Thing is the only movie released that year that bears mention when it comes to the conversation of greatest horror movie of all time.
It wasn’t always that way
Despite how The Thing is viewed through modern eyes as being, rightfully, one of the best horror movies ever made, it was panned on release. It was seen as being without merit outside of the grotesque creature designs, courtesy of Rob Bottin.
“The interpersonal drama, scares, tension, and fantastic visuals completely hold their own. The Thing still feels completely unique… one of the top ten horror movies of all time.”
It was said to be unimaginative and rather boring. With its bleak and hopeless story feeling ill-fitting of a time when the world was suffering from recession and a general sense of malaise. On top of that, Carpenter couldn’t shake the comparisons to similar movies like Alien. People considered his work to be derivative and thoroughly unoriginal.
Against a backdrop of brilliant science-fiction movies like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Blade Runner , a pair of titles that dominated the 1982 summer box office. The Thing was considered to be a dreary and negative portrayal of a sad world at the mercy of violence.
It was so bad that John Carpenter even lost work, being replaced as director of upcoming science-fiction movie Firestarter. Universal even bought him out of his multi-film contract rather than choose to feature him in a directorial role. The world wasn’t ready for The Thing, but it would get there in the coming years.
One of the best horror movies ever
It’s hard to imagine this being the case nowadays when The Thing is frequently cited as one of the best horror movies ever. It is currently afforded an 8.2/10 user score on IMDb and a high critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. It is frequently cited in “Best Horror Ever” lists and even receives recognition in lists of the “Best Movies Ever”.
It’s a huge turnaround, but the damage was done to Carpenter. He still considers this to be his favourite movie that he directed. But following up with Christine and Big Trouble in Little China was not the future he had envisioned for himself.
It’s a shame, because this is such an utterly fabulous movie. I wouldn’t consider it to be my favourite horror movie of all time – that honour goes to Psycho. With that being said, The Thing does so much right.
Sure, it is relentlessly bleak and utterly hopeless for much of its length. But the brilliant creature effects, many of which hold up now, the expert pacing that rewards the viewer greatly for their initial patience, and the ever-present uneasiness are almost unmatched in horror. The icy aesthetics still feel incredibly unique, even now, and the large cast never feels like too much. Everyone has a purpose and all serve to heap on the atmosphere and tension. It’s brilliant stuff.
It’s the little things that matter
With all of that being said, the thing that stands out about this movie for me is the interpersonal drama. The Thing can assume anyone’s identity, meaning the crew simply can’t trust each other. They have absolutely no way of knowing who might be real and who might be the murderous alien. A fact which makes for at least 40 minutes of tense, anxiety-inducing conflict. It’s unlike anything that you have seen before in horror. It is enthralling and completely compelling throughout.
Carpenter’s direction is so tight that he manages to place the viewer as a member of the research crew. You have absolutely no idea who is real and who is fake. You aren’t given any hints that the crew themselves don’t have. This makes you just as suspicious as each of the cast.
“The Thing can assume anyone’s identity, meaning the crew simply can’t trust each other. A fact which makes for at least 40 minutes of tense, anxiety-inducing conflict.”
It is stunningly effective, and the brilliantly ambiguous ending leaves you escaping the icy base feeling none the wiser. The Thing leaves you thinking long after you are done watching.
Brilliantly acted
Of course, praise has to go to the cast here. Everyone is completely fantastic and totally bought into their characters. Each performance is believable, almost as if they themselves had no idea who was real and who was a creature in disguise. Visuals are fantastic.
“Carpenter manages to place the viewer as a member of the research crew. You aren’t given any hints that the crew themselves don’t have. It is stunningly effective.”
The dreary set feels claustrophobic and hopeless. The walls close in on the cast as each character is killed off one by one. The use of fire to produce bright red lighting which contrasts viciously against the snowy backdrop was inspired. The Thing is, visually, truly iconic.
Effects are sensational! Sure, they look a little hokey and silly in the eyes of 2024, but you can’t help but admire the creativity. There are a hell of a lot of explosions here; Michael Bay probably shed a tear of joy watching this movie. Above all else, The Thing is genuinely scary. The tension never lets up for a second. The crew gradually losing their minds leaves you never quite knowing what is about to happen next. Horror rarely feels as atmospheric and affecting as it does here.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Rob Bottin’s Effects: Even in the era of CGI, the practical creature designs remain some of the most imaginative and gruesome ever put to film.
- Mounting Paranoia: The script is incredibly lean, focusing on the psychological breakdown of the crew as trust evaporates in the sub-zero temperatures.
- Atmospheric Cinematography: The use of firelight against the oppressive blue of the Arctic snow creates a visually stunning and claustrophobic aesthetic.
The Bad
- Deliberate Pacing: Some modern viewers may find the initial buildup a bit slow, though it is essential for establishing the film’s suffocating dread.
- Aged Technicals: A handful of the compositing shots and stop-motion sequences show their age, though they never truly detract from the horror.
The Ugly: The Dog Kennel Scene. One of the most distressing and visceral sequences in horror, perfectly establishing the alien’s grotesque biological capabilities.
Should You Watch The Thing?
Yes, absolutely. It is a 4.5-star masterpiece that everyone should see at least once. It is the pinnacle of sci-fi horror and a shining example of John Carpenter at the absolute height of his directorial powers.
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